Water Agency Puts Brakes On Athletic Field Proposal

A Metropolitan Water Reclamation District official said Monday that the district will not consider leasing 100 acres it owns along the Calumet Sag Channel until the project is approved by Palos Hills.

Consolidated School District 230 is proposing a 99-year, $1 lease agreement with the water district for land along the north bank of the channel, between Southwest Highway and South Kean Avenue behind Stagg High School.

The school district wants the land for athletic fields, including a cross-country running trail, a football field, two soccer fields and a three-hole golf course.

Area residents want the land to remain a "nature sanctuary," as it has been zoned for 16 years.

Terrence O'Brien, president of the water district's Board of Commissioners, said the school district should submit its plans to the City Council before coming to the board.

Because of the zoning issue, "that has got to be done first," O'Brien said. "The issue over the nature sanctuary has to be resolved."

The city ordinance states that anyone seeking to develop the land must receive a special-use permit from the council, he said.

Palos Hills Ald. Joel Tomas, who has criticized School District 230 officials for failing to officially notify the city of their plans, said he was pleased by the water district's position.

"If (School District 230) cannot come up with a plan that can satisfy the people, and something the school district can live with, I'm going to vote against it," he said.

But Ald. Pauline Stratton said she supports building athletic fields, especially because renovations over the next two years will eliminate existing fields.

"The kids need more space," she said. "I would rather the kids be active in sports than something else."

Most council members want to see the plans before reaching any decision.

School district spokesman Jim Sibley said school officials initially considered leasing a larger area, from just west of Southwest Highway to La Grange Road.

"We certainly don't intend to develop that whole area," he said.

He added there is no time frame on when plans would be submitted to Palos Hills. "It's not even formally a proposal," he said. "It's kind of an idea."